Description

The P-40E-1 Warhawk is a Rank II American fighter
with a battle rating of 2.3 (AB/SB) and 2.7 (RB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

The P-40E Warhawk is an excellent "jack-of-all trades, master of none" fighter/bomber. It is equipped with 6 x M2 Browning .50cal machine guns which is remarkably effective against light pillboxes, some light tanks/AAA, and of course, planes. The P-40 can also equip bombs to round itself out as a decent low-rank fighter bomber.

Any competent RB Warhawk flyer will tell you that it is only good at Medium and lower altitudes (3,000 m is normally that middle altitude). This is because the engine's performance is poor at higher altitudes, unlike its future successors- the P-51 and P-47. The P-40's main asset is its straight-line speed- it will easily outrun Bf 109s, A6Ms, and some "modern" biplanes you may see at its 2.3 BR. Head-ons are almost never advisable, but given the high velocity and fire rate of the .50 cals, lightly armoured planes such as the A6M can be head-on'd from a distance.

Otherwise, use the high speed and decent engine performance at low alts to out-speed and energy-fight enemy planes. At high speeds, the P-40 can out-turn a select few Axis fighters, including some lower-rank Bf 109s. Never, ever, ever attempt to turn with Zero's, He 112s, or low rank Russian fighters.

In short, the P-40 is one of the best performing low-rank US planes- its high speed and general performance outmatches most, if not all, opponents at the 2.3 BR.

Usage in the battles

Air Combat
The P-40 is good at turn fights and low altitude fights, compared to fighters like Bf 109's which it faces, e.g. the E-3,G-2s and F-4s; these aircraft cannot really turn with it but are faster. The speed of this aircraft at 560 kph makes it pretty fast for its rank and BR, however, this is only applicable to low altitudes. An important point is that the aircraft chokes above 5,000 m and is basically a sitting duck at this altitude.

When you dive on other planes, watch your speed! The P-40 is nearly uncontrollable at speeds higher than 600 kph - its ideal speed is between 400 - 500 kph. However, structurally, the P-40 is surprisingly strong and can turn/dive very quickly at high speeds.

Compared to other planes at the 2.3 BR, the P-40 is extremely heavily armed. The 6 x M2 machine guns can rip apart any plane, whether fighter or bomber, in a matter of seconds with a well trained burst. Ammo capacity is also very good and will easily last an entire RB match, given that the pilot has good accuracy and trigger control.

In short, always remember to energy fight and use the P-40's high top speed to quickly dive away and leave combat if things get hairy.

The Ground Attack Role
The P-40E can carry a bomb payload of 2 x 100 lb or 1 x 500 lb or 2 x 100 lb + 1 x 500 lb (700 lb), making it a decent ground attack aircraft for its rank. The Ground Targets belt for the .50 cals allow the P-40 to rip apart enemy AAA, Pillboxes, and even most German/Japanese light/medium tanks. Pz. IIIs, IVs, Chi-Ha's, etc., can all be torn to shreds with the .50 cals- primarily from the side and top.

Specific enemies worth noting

Against the Bf 109:
Turnfight- the BF-109 is typically a superior aircraft in terms of climb rate and vertical maneuvers. However, early/mid-rank 109s can be turned against in the Warhawk, especially at higher speeds.

Boom & Zoom - dive on the target and engage. Due to its lack of armour and large fuel tanks, the A6M is easy to destroy.

Outrun the A6M- the A6M isn't a really high-speed plane, the P-40E can outrun it flat-out easily, so turn around after 3-4km and try to head on or start climbing then. The A6M might start to climb to try and gain energy- if you keep running from it, you will put enough space between you and your opponent to climb to an acceptable altitude, or re-group with allies

Never, ever, ever turn fight a Zero. Zeros are the natural and historical nemeses of Allied aircraft, and those 2 20mms can rip P-40s to shreds.

Turn fighting is recommended as a last resort, especially with the Yak-1B's superior handling and turn-radius. You will not be able to outrun a Yak and head-ons are not advised due to the Yak's nose weapons. Try and get a friend to assist you, without losing speed- avoid engaging and losing speed, otherwise, the Yak will catch you. If you are in a squad, stick together and use the scissor-baiting method, until an opponent locks onto one of you, then you can destroy it. Boom and zoom should be used, but the circumstances often don't arise.

Try to Boom & Zoom, if given the position to do so. In a straight line, the P-40 will outrun a Spitfire Mk.I at lower altitudes, but not out-climb it. The performance of the Spitfire makes it a difficult enemy, only turnfight with it at high speed- wingmen or more teammates is the optimal solution, strength in numbers

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements

Mixer

Pitch

Radiator

Supercharger

Turbocharger

Oil

Water

Type

Controllable

Not controllable

Not controllable

Not controllable

Separate

Not ontrollable

Not controllable

Modules

Tier

Flight performance

Survivability

Weaponry

I

Fuselage Repair

Radiator

Offensive 12 mm

II

Compressor

Airframe

FSBC mk.1

III

Engine Injection

Cover

FMBC mk.1

IV

The primary modules to focus on are ammo belts and performance. For best results in air to air combat the Universal belts are recommended.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Decent roll rate.

Lots of vibrant and historically accurate camouflage to unlock.

Good flat out speed.

Good dive speed.

Fast at level flight.

Can carry bombs.

Somewhat adequate cockpit visibility despite lots of bars.

Pilot is protected by a steel plate behind his seat and by another plate and a bulletproof glass from the front.

Deadly armament (6 x 50.cal HMGs), easily rip apart any opponents

Extremely strong rudder, can help with maneuvers a lot and decrease turn radius (AB)

Cons:

Poor climb rate.

Poor high altitude performance.

Poor turn time compared to other single seat fighters of similar time period and rank.

Poor energy retention.

low ammunition count.

Elevators completely lock up at 600 KM/H(352 MP/H).

Rear visibility from the cockpit is hindered by the armour plate.

Unstable in yaw axis (RB and SB)

History

Development

The P-40 was born in 1938 when Curtiss realized the need for a replacement to the P-36. The P-36 was a formidable aircraft, but top speeds of newer fighter designs were quickly passing it. Donovan Berlin a former Northrop engineer who was employed by Curtiss went to work on the redesign of the Hawk. The radial engine were replaced with a turbo supercharged version of the Allison V-1710 inline engine. The cockpit was moved to offset the weight of the new engine. This delivered a performance boost and higher top speeds when tested. The Army ordered thirteen versions of this prototype built for additional testing. Unfortunately the experimental turbo supercharged engine was unreliable and poor visibility from the cockpit forced the project to be abandoned.

The next attempt at a design was a simpler one. Berlin recognized the U.S. Army believed they only needed a fighter effective to only 15,000 ft. The aircraft's engine was replaced with a simpler super charged Allison engine and was designated XP-40. The new prototype first flew on October 14, 1938. The aircraft flew and looked good but various adjustments were quickly made. These included moving the radiator and a more powerful version of the Allison V-1710. The XP-40 was quickly recognized for its good handling and dive speeds.

Procurement

On April 26, 1939 Curtiss was handed a record setting contract of 524 P-40s for $13 million. The primary reason Curtiss won the contract was due to availability. Other manufacturers still needed a couple years before they could launch their aircraft into production (Examples: P-38, P-39). The first production P-40 rolled off the factory line in March of 1940. The first P-40s to see action were RAF Tomahawks over North Africa in June of 1941. The aircraft was quickly noted for being a stable gun platform and capable of withstanding more battle damage then its counterparts. The aircraft's altitude limitations quickly forced pilots to accept they would have to endure higher flying opponents.

When the P-40 reached the D and E variants many changes had to be made. Allison redesigned its V-1710 and the aircraft's fuselage when need to accommodate the higher thrust and additional horsepower from the new engine. Curtiss removed all armament from the nose of the aircraft and placed four 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns in the wing. In the later E model that number would be increased to six. The P-40 was also fitted with a improved cockpit enclosure, larger windshield, and a better canopy. The P-40E-1 was also capable of carrying six small bombs under the wings. In late production models a small dorsal fin was added near the base of the tail for added stability.

Design

The Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, fighter/ground-attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. Better known as the "Warhawk," the P-40 series design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk. The Kittyhawk was used by most Allied powers in World War II and remained in the front lines until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter, the first two being the P-51, and the P-47. Production of the Kittyhawk ceased in November of 1944. By that time, 13,738 has been built.

Although many models of the P-40 were built, the model series was officially given the general name "P-40 Warhawk," making all planes off the P-40 series P-40 Warhawk's, although British and Soviet air forces gave the Warhawk the name "Tomahawk" for any models equivalent to the P-40B and P-40C. The name "Kittyhawk" was given to any models equivalent to the P-40D and above.

Combat Usage

The P-40 series first saw combat not in North America, but in the Middle East and North African campaigns, being flown by British pilots, during the June of 1941. No. 112 Squadron Royal Air Force was one of the first squadrons to operate the Warhawks, (Considered "Tomahawks" by the pilots that flew them,) and was the first unit of Allied forces to use the "Shark Mouth" decal, copying similar German markings that were used on some Messerschmitt Bf 110's.

The P-40 was inferior to some German single-engine fighters in high-altitude combat due to its lack of a two-stage supercharger. This caused the P-40 to be rarely used in operation in Northwest Europe. But between the years of 1941 and 1944, the P-40 played a critical role in the theaters North Africa, the Southwest Pacific, and China. It also had a considerable role in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Alaska, and Italy. The P-40's bad high-altitude performance did not matter in these theaters, where it was used as an air superiority fighter, bomber escort, and a fighter-bomber. Although the design was considered mediocre in postwar, suitable for only close air support, Allied pilots reported the P-40 flew surprisingly well as an air superiority fighter. The P-40 also had the advantage of low-cost assembly, which kept it in production as a ground-attack aircraft long after it was considered obsolete as a fighter. A survey conducted in 2008 showed that at the time, 29 P-40's were airworthy.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.